Fields of Thunder

by Aliyah Burke

  They all talked, laughed and got situated in the living area. Lian, he noticed, stopped often to gaze over his children, like he was trying to convince himself they were all there and okay. Despite the worry, Altair could see there existed immense pride—in all of them.

  “So,” Aminta started, once things had calmed down a bit. “How did the two of you meet?”

  Altair turned his head to Roz, who’d joined him on the love seat. He’d deliberately picked a place where the wall was at his back and no one could sneak around behind him. Unless, of course, there was more that she has not shared with me and they can walk through walls.

  She wasn’t touching him and he wasn’t sure what to make of that—or how it made him feel. Roz crossed her legs and rested her hands upon them. “We met at the courthouse.”

  “What were you doing at the courthouse?” Billy asked.

  “I am in construction. I was fixing some windows and part of a wall.”

  “He helped me out with Trent,” she replied easily. “I swear I didn’t know he was New Order.” She looked at Lian. “Not even my sign warned me. What’s up with that?”

  The elder watched her, his face a blank slate. “I do not know, little one. We know it is imperative we are more vigilant. They will continue to attack, trying to get the edge on us before the final battle.” Black eyes found him. “Do you know about all of the demons we can face?”

  Altair nodded slightly. “She told me about them and how they can attack from air or ground.”

  “So when are you moving in here?”

  He glanced to the speaker of that question—Cale. “We are not,” he responded.

  “What do you mean you’re not moving in here?” Tiarnán demanded.

  There was a subtle shift in Roz’s body. Nothing extensive but such that her leg now touched his. He understood the move. They were presenting a unified front. He might not have the details down on all of her reasons but, if she was his mate—and it seemed that had been the truth—it was his job to back her.

  “He has a house in town,” she explained. “I am still working at the office and he has his work too. It doesn’t make sense for us to live here and commute all that way.”

  “You will be safer here.” Cale crossed his arms, mimicking Tiarnán. “How will you protect him out there?”

  Roz began to defend him but he reached out and touched her shoulder. She looked back at him and he shook his head. There was no need for her to share stuff about him—he didn’t publicize it, no need for her to either. He was grateful when she dropped it.

  “We will be safe,” she insisted. “And come here when we both have time off.”

  “We are leaving the artifact here,” he said. “It can remain under your watchful gazes.”

  Lian looked at him steadily until the sound of younger children reached them. “Very well. Are you staying for dinner?”

  Roz glanced at him again, eyebrows up. He knew she was waiting for his decision. “Sure,” Altair commented.

  “Wonderful.” Lian stood as the children ran into the room, wiping away the main layer of tension with their joy and chatting.

  Altair let most of his attention wander to the kids Roz began introducing him to.

  Chapter Six

  “What makes you think it smart not to move here, onto the vineyard?”

  Roz looked up from the dishes she was washing to find Cale standing there. I’m a bit surprised it isn’t Tiarnán here asking me this.

  “I still work off the vineyard, Cale. It’s not a short jaunt to town from here.” She peered back down into the sudsy water.

  “So what? Quit.”

  She fisted her hand below the water line then forced herself to relax. “No.”

  “Why not? Isn’t being here with us and preparing for this battle more important than being in a courtroom?”

  “Not to me.” She put the dish in the rinse water then worked on the next one. “I take my job very seriously, Cale. Only half the artifacts have been found. I hardly think that the final battle is starting tomorrow—or even the day after.”

  “We don’t know that.”

  She shrugged. “No, we don’t. But I also will not stop living my life because of what is coming. Death is inevitable and I will not sit cowering in my corner waiting for it to come take me.”

  “Like me, you mean? And the rest of us who stay here?” Anger tinged his tone.

  “No. You know that’s not what I meant, Cale.”

  “Do I? You’ve never hidden your disdain for how I live for the pure fun of adventure in life.”

  “Like you’ve never hidden yours for me.”

  All the old resentment she’d felt for him growing up, when they’d constantly been at each other’s throats, resurfaced. There wasn’t any reason for it, it was just how she and Cale were. Water and oil. They were reduced to petty children, really.

  “You know you should really get over yourself, Roz. If you think you can do so well out there, fine. Go. Pretend you’re better than the rest of us. Last time I checked, you weren’t the best warrior, but perhaps you think with your mate you now have an edge none of us has.”

  “Do the two of you always behave in such a fashion?” Altair asked.

  She glared at Cale before meeting Altair’s gaze in the window’s reflection. “Believe it or not, yes,” she admitted.

  Cale walked out without another word to her, leaving her alone with Altair.

  “Why?” he asked, swiping a towel and slinging it over his shoulder as he made his way to her side.

  “I don’t know. We’ve always been like that. Put us together in a room and we can argue about anything. Hell, even the color of the sky can get us into a heated argument.”

  “And when you must fight?”

  She finished scrubbing the last pot. “That’s different. I trust him at my back and I would hope he trusts me at his.”

  “So this arguing is…what, then?”

  “Foolish, according to the others. But it works for us and that’s really all that matters. When it comes down to it, I love him and would protect him with everything I have within me. Otherwise, he’s just a pain in my ass.” She looked at him. “Don’t you have siblings who are like that to you?”

  He rinsed the dishes and put them in the drying rack. “No. I used to have two brothers and a sister.”

  “Used to?” She slowed in the transfer of the pot from one side of the sink to the other. “What happened?”

  “War.”

  Roz bit the inside of her cheek to keep her questions to herself. They might be mated by the fates or whatever had done it, but they were still learning about one another and she didn’t feel right pressing him for more answers on such a subject.

  What’s the appropriate response to that? I’m sorry seems so trite. Roz dipped her hand in the rinse water and covered his larger, scarred one, squeezing slightly.

  They finished the dishes in silence. Even so, it didn’t stop her mind from doing a bit more fantasizing about the two of them. “Would you like to take a walk around? We can’t cover the entire estate but you can get a bit of a look-see.”

  “Yes, I would like that.”

  They walked out of the front door and she took him first to the stables. As they walked, she could feel Tiarnán’s gaze upon them. She knew he didn’t approve but she didn’t care.

  She halted along the fence and leaned against the rails. The horses were already headed in their direction, all vying for her affection. She took her time and petted each one, calling them by name, feeling their strength and love pour through her.

  “Are you close with them because of your sign? Or have you always maintained this affinity with them?”

  “I honestly don’t know why I am so close to them. Part of me thinks it’s my sign but I can’t say for sure. Perhaps a bit of both.” She watched him rub the blaze on a black gelding. “They seem to like you as well.”

  “A suitable second, I suppose.”

  His words made
her smile. She waved him inside one of the pastures and headed out to a few large rocks to just sit and relax. She rested her cheek against the face of a gray, who stopped to nuzzle her. “When I first came here, I used to sneak out at night and run down here to the pasture. I remember slipping through the railings to stand right along the fence. It was like I could not hear, but feel the thoughts of these animals.”

  She leaned back, grateful to find his muscled body behind her, offering support. “I was never alone with them. Their joy was conveyed to me, their love and happiness. Their strength. They were—are—my family.”

  “How old were you when you came here?”

  “Thirteen.”

  “You are very young for an attorney.”

  She nodded. “I am. A bit of a prodigy, I suppose. And lucky enough to have Lian in my corner to get me the classes I needed to obtain the opportunity to take the bar.”

  “This is why you work so hard. You do not want to let him down.”

  Altair didn’t make it a question but a statement. Amazing he could see what he did, after having known her only for a short time. On the other end of the spectrum, Cale still saw her as trying to shove her smarts into his face.

  “I don’t like letting anyone down.”

  He readjusted behind her so his legs fell on either side of her. She leaned back against his strong chest. His arms held her and she relaxed. Life didn’t get much better than this. Him beside her and her horses milling around them, filling the air with their soft whinnies and whickering.

  “Somehow I do not think you do.”

  She gave a brief smile that felt more like a grimace as it crossed her face.

  “Why do the demons and such not attack here?”

  “Rules. They have rules. Granted, lately it seems those rules have been broken but I guess it’s just not supposed to happen.”

  “But it is okay for you to go after their headquarters?”

  “I hope so—I don’t see us stopping that any time soon. We have an entire list of them and we’ve been taking them out when we can. In fact, it’s almost time for me to go back out.”

  “Us,” he corrected immediately. “And where did you get the list?”

  “After a hellish decoding Edmond did on something Billy brought back from Scotland. It took him much longer than usual to break it down. I mean, the man is a freaking genius and has been working on that kind of thing for a long-ass time.” She rotated her ankles and settled back. “But with this one… It took him months. There was something on it that if he did one thing wrong, it would collapse onto itself or something like that—don’t know what it was called, I’m not a tech guru—and we’d never have gotten any of the data he pulled off. There are lists of recruits, recruiting places, tactics and the like, as well.”

  “Not arguing about us?”

  “I’m not stupid. You’re military trained, from where I’m standing—okay, sitting—I think it is a smart move. Besides, I think I would have a fight on my hands if I tried to tell you to stay behind.”

  “It would not work. Although you can try.”

  “Why waste my breath? I’m good with you coming.”

  “How many in the team?”

  “Usually just two of us. We tend to stick out if we all travel together.”

  “So it could be just the two of us and they would not know what was coming until it was too late.”

  She’d not thought about that but he had a point. “That would probably work. Have you wanted to go to North Carolina?”

  “I have been there before.”

  “Really? When?”

  “When I was trying to decide where I wanted to live. That state was one of my choices. Around Chapel Hill, I looked.”

  She closed her eyes. “Hmm. Well, this will be closer to Greensboro. In it, actually, so I guess that’s pretty close to it.”

  “When do we leave?”

  “This weekend.” She laced her fingers through his. “Are you sure about this?”

  “I sure am not letting you go without me.”

  She stifled a yawn. Today had been filled with long hours, and sitting here, well, it was so nice. A faint whicker came from the lead mare of the group, signaling the all clear, and as if she were one of the herd, Roz relaxed even more.

  She’d fallen asleep. Altair knew it seconds after it had happened. He held his position, not wishing to disturb her. Then there was the fact he enjoyed having her in his embrace.

  This woman had managed to get under his skin in the short time he’d known her. Not in a bad way, just in her way. He thought over her family before his mind drifted back to his and the ones he had lost.

  “You’re good for her.”

  Only his training kept him from betraying his surprise. Altair watched in dumbfounded disbelief as Dracen walked through the horses, as if she’d appeared out of thin air.

  “Are you sure?” he asked.

  The woman in black leather leaped easily up on the other side of the large rock before sinking gracefully to the surface. “Yes. The fact she is sleeping and you are out amongst her horses tells me that.”

  He didn’t respond, just looked around at the herd who still lingered close, occasionally one or two lifting their heads as if to visually check on Roz.

  “She’s always had an affinity for horses. But we all have our unique qualities and sets of skills.”

  “Like?”

  “Cale is our healer.”

  “I thought Mal was?”

  “For us Guardians, Cale can do a lot more than Mal can. She’s good for the kids and if Cale isn’t around, for any of us. Billy takes on traits of the monkey, making it almost impossible to catch him. He’s a damn good thief.”

  He could see that in the way the Asian man moved. “Aminta?”

  “Her sign is the Ram and some days we think she is just stubborn and hardheaded like one. She has intuition, leadership, and is always in the action. To name a few.” She rolled her shoulders a few times. “Tiarnán is like the tiger, a loner. He can camouflage himself with just about anything. And he’s the best fighter.” She closed her eyes.

  “And you?”

  She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. For a moment, he swore they burned a fiery red in the moonlight. “I’m the dragon.”

  The entire vibe to his surroundings changed. The horses even picked up on it, snorting and glancing about. The air grew chilly. But only for a moment. Then it passed and everything settled back down.

  “And your skill set?”

  “I learn things.”

  Altair wasn’t sure what to make of her explanation. “You learn things?”

  “I have the ability to rip into someone’s mind and take their thoughts and knowledge. I can turn someone into a quivering mass of drool if I so choose. I am also good with camouflage. Not like Tiarnán, but good enough.”

  There was no inflection in her tone and her words hadn’t been spoken in a threatening manner. Nonetheless, he knew it had been a warning. That wasn’t all about her—he could feel it. However, she didn’t seem all that inclined to share more with him.

  “Can you tell me more about what happens when you go take out a headquarters?”

  “Are you going with her? Of course you are. You wouldn’t let her go without you.” Dracen shifted slightly on the rock but no sound emerged. “I will tell you what I know then I need you to do something for me.”

  “What would that be?”

  “I need your word before I tell you.”

  “Will it hurt Roz?”

  “No.”

  Altair nodded in the moonlit night. “You have it then.”

  “Thank you. Now, about the strategic attacks.”

  Altair listened as Dracen told him how they usually did things. He made mental notes on what he wanted to discuss with Roz to do differently. Dracen finished and spun a sai in her hand. One he assumed was from Inaki that she could call forward at any time.

  “Now, for my favor.”

  “I am
listening.”

  Dracen filled him in on what she required. She’d finished it and had departed by the time Roz stirred.

  “Oh shit, I fell asleep, didn’t I?”

  “Yes,” he said in a mild tone.

  She turned to look up at him, the moonlight glinting off her bright eyes. “And you let me lie here and snore?”

  Another smile teased the corners of his lips. “You were not snoring. Do not worry.”

  “I’m sure someone is looking for us.”

  “So?”

  She laughed softly and lay back against him. “Good point.”

  “If we are heading to Greensboro this weekend, when are you moving your things into my house?” He stared at a horse and amended, “Our house.”

  “Do you mind if the guys go in your house?”

  “Why would I mind?”

  “Some people like their spaces private.”

  “I have nothing to fear from them entering.”

  “Then I will have them move my things tomorrow, if that works.”

  He rested his chin on the top of her head. “Tomorrow is fine. I was going to be working from home anyway.”

  “We should go tell them and head back to town.”

  He liked sitting out here with her. Regardless, he didn’t stop her from climbing down from the rock. He jumped to the ground after her. On her heels, he patted a few horses as they moved through the milling herd. After vaulting over the fence, they walked side by side back to the house.

  “What are you all doing tomorrow?” she asked the moment they entered the room where everyone was gathered.

  Nothing really, came the general consensus.

  “Good. Come to town and help me move my stuff from the studio apartment to Altair’s house.”

  “Really? You’re moving in with him?” Cale asked.

  Altair watched her carefully. Her gaze narrowed on her foster brother and she crossed her arms. “I know you’re not giving me grief. You brought Taylor here and were sleeping in her room that first night. Sorry, Taylor. I don’t want to hear it from you that I’m moving too quickly. What do you want me to do? We’re mates. There is nothing else to discuss. But maybe for us women it’s different and I should wait an acceptable amount of time. What would you suggest, Cale?” Sarcasm dripped like poison off her words. “Should we wait for a year? Maybe two?”